Ethiopian troops seize important town from al Shabaab

Somali troops helped Ethiopian forces to seize one of the principal
strongholds of the al-Shabaab Islamic insurgency yesterday in a crucial
victory ahead of Thursday's London summit to discuss the country's future.

Baidoa, 155 miles northeast of the capital Mogadishu, had been one of the main bases of the al-Qaeda-linked militia since 2009 when it was captured in a humiliating blow to the Western-backed factions in the "world's most failed state".

However, as they arrived in London yesterday, Somali leaders confirmed that Ethiopian and Somali troops had retaken Baidoa, dealing a significant blow to the insurgents, who control large parts of southern and central Somalia.

"One of the most important cities in southwestern Somalia, Baidoa, has just been captured from Al-Shabaab," Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the prime minister said.

It came as the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to boost the peacekeeping force in Somalia/ Under the terms of the resolution adopted by the UN, the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia will increase in size from 12,000 to 17,700.

The resolution also introduces a ban on the sale of charcoal from Somalia, which the militant al-Shabaab group uses as a source of income, and the farming of which leads to deforestation and drought.

Although there have been 14 international conferences on Somalia, there is growing optimism that the London meeting could signify a turning point the troubled state's affairs.

David Cameron has been bouyed by the decision of more than 60 official delegation to attend the conference, which has become a platform for outline a battle to quash al-Shabaab, create a functioning government and tackle the scourge of high seas piracy from Somalia.

Before the conference, the prime minister said destroying al-Shabaab would improve British and international security.

"The security threat is real; it is substantial," Mr Cameron said. "And there is a very real danger of young British Somalis having their minds poisoned by this organisation. So there is a terrorist threat that is current today, and if we are not careful, could get worse."

Mr Ali, the Somali prime minister, said that Somalian forces were already able to stop an estimated 70 per cent of planned terrorist attacks and were confident of expanding territory under official control.

"We are moving from an era of warlordism, terrorism, extremism and piracy and we are moving into an era of peace, stability and normalcy," he said. "Twenty years of lawlessness, violence and chaos is enough. Somalis are ready to move on."

The loss of Baidoa in central Somalia represents a major blow for al Shabaab which has also lost up to 120 miles of territory to Kenyan troops along the length of the border.

"We have taken Baidoa. There was no resistance from al Shabaab," said Abdifatah Mohamed Gesey, a senior commander of the Somali government soldiers advancing with the Ethiopians.

Al Shabaab said its withdrawal from the city had been a tactical once aimed at avoiding casualties.

"Our fighters left town this morning without fighting. Now we are surrounding the town," said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's spokesman for military operations.

"Baidoa will be a cemetery for the Ethiopians."

Under the terms of last night's UN resolution, the African Union force will be able to "take all necessary measures … to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabab and other armed opposition groups."

It will be made up of troops from Kenya, Djibouti and Uganda. Their mission is to contain al-Shabaab in order to allow space for a political solution to the conflict.

Funding for the mission will increase to $330 million (£210 million) – less than the $450 million (£284 million) the UK had hoped for, after a number of nations including France and the United States raised concerns about how effectively the money would be spent.

In a statement issued following the adoption of the UN resolution last night, William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, said: "This is great news for Somalia and great news for Africa.

"At last, the African Union troops who have sacrificed lives to create security in Somalia will get sustainable funding; and they will now be able to move beyond Mogadishu and reduce the space in which al-Shabaab can operate."